Google's Self-Driving Golf Carts

[iacas]

From the IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems last month, a video showing Google's self-driving golf carts.

Now I'm not sure about taking a golf cart out in traffic - I think it's actually illegal because they don't have brake lights, turn signals, seat belts, license plates, etc. - and most of them don't go anywhere near fast enough (if you've ever been in a cart capable of even 25 MPH boy you KNOW that cart is WAY faster than it's supposed to be...).

But it's a fun video anyway. :-)

[xxsoultonesxx]

How will it know where to go when I slice in the woods?

Outside of the world of google, I see no future for this.

[jamo]

How will it know where to go when I slice in the woods? Outside of the world of google, I see no future for this.

Google seems to do a lot of things like this. They made a self-driving car a few years ago as well. Monumentally cool, but I doubt if anything like this will come out for a long time.

[nevets88]

Two guys hit their approach shot 40 yards short of the green, right in front of the no carts sign. Both take a wedge and putter and the cart self drives to the green. That's would be one way it could save time.

One guys drives it way left, the other way right. First guy gets off, second guy drives to his ball, plays his ball as cart picks up first guy.

There's gotta be many other ways it can speed up play.

[Yukari]

Many courses in Asia have semi automatic golf carts.  They are remote controlled.  Generally, the caddie (typically a young attractive-most of the time-female) will have the cart move to near the green via remote when most of the players are withing 100 meters.

If you haven't played courses in Asia, many of the courses are expensive-especially Japan and Korea.  Typically runs about $250 to $400 a round plus $100 caddie fee (for the group).  It is not for the masses, but still the courses are over crowded.

[clubchamp]

It sounds really cool but I would have to wonder if it would be cart path only. Either way I'm sure the cost will keep it away from golf course for a long time.